Al gives Hustler the night off - but it’s nothing serious, just a sore foot
By Barry Lichter • 31 August 2019
Trainer Al Barnes has scratched Northview Hustler from his race at Albion Park tonight after an infection burst out of his foot.
“It’s nothing serious, there’s just a bit of bruising, but I didn’t want to run him when he’s not right,” Barnes said.
“He’s a bit sore, not lame, but I want to look after the horse so we’ll clean it up and keep on top of it so we don’t have any further problems down the track.”
Northview Hustler was to have contested a seven-horse race tonight, all but one of his rivals the same as he easily beat last start.
But while the race looked his for the taking, Barnes says there’s no hurry and there will be plenty more opportunities for the horse whom he expects to fashion a top record this season.
While among the 37 nominations last week for the New Zealand Trotting Cup, he will not be making the trip and will drop out when first acceptances are taken.
More news in Harness
Watch Sammy Lincoln charge home and you’ll want to be on at Cambridge on Thursday night
Lincoln Wave scorches in, still on target for richer races and Sammy’s making progress too
Johnny Lincoln’s big ticker will stand to him in the States and Lover’s also sold to Aussie
No Jumals to beat this time at the Park so Ray’s looking for Lincoln Wave to roll in
Our runners this week: How our trainer rates them
Ray’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: The Night Fox
4.59pm
“He’s racing well and I can’t fault him. The opposition is stronger this time but I can’t see why he won’t go another good race.”
Race 3: Spiritual Bliss
5.59pm
“She’s a good, tough mare. It depends on the trip you get in these sort of races but she loves it when they run hard and she can get some of the money.”
Race 3: Ultimate Cullect
5.59pm
“We haven’t had a lot of time to assess her yet. From the one drive I’ve had on her she doesn’t strike me as a sit-sprinter. But if they go hard, hopefully she’ll get home well.”
Race 5: Lincoln Maree
6.57pm
“It’s a “brutal” race but she’s drawn to get a suck along and hopefully she can last well enough for a cheque.”
Race 6: Leo Lincoln
7.29pm
“There are a few in there that are better than him but he has a handicap advantage and, if he gets a good trip, he could get some of it. He steps well and his driver reckoned he would have won last week if he’d got the run at the right time.”
Race 10: Sammy Lincoln
9.23pm
“I can’t imagine him being beaten - they’d have to knock him over. He’s very fast and in case he has to move quickly early we’ll use the shorteners. I can’t see any problem with him going left-handed - he’s probably better that way.”
Race 11: Rivergirl Bella
9.54pm
“She’s honest and will try hard.”
